Quebecor acquired further 5G spectrum in Manitoba and Quebec
Canadian operator Quebecor and its subsidiary Videotron have invested almost CAD10 million ($7.5 million) to amass new 5G wi-fi spectrum licenses, in Manitoba within the 600 MHz band and in Quebec within the 3,500 MHz band, Quebecor mentioned in a launch.
The acquisition was made within the public sale of residual spectrum licenses that concluded on January 25 with the announcement by the Canadian authorities of the tentatively accepted bids. Videotron is growing its wi-fi service capability and persevering with to pave the best way for the potential enlargement of its wi-fi infrastructure outdoors Québec. In 2021, Videotron acquired 294 blocks of three.5 GHz spectrum in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec at a value of CAD830 million.
“We now have a transparent goal: to deliver wholesome competitors to the Canadian wi-fi market by breaking the oligopoly,” mentioned Pierre Karl Péladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor. “Shopping for further spectrum to observe up on the potential acquisition of Freedom Cell is a key ingredient of our marketing strategy for extending our sturdy, highly effective wi-fi community outdoors Quebec and providing Canadian customers higher companies at higher costs, as now we have been doing in Quebec for greater than 15 years.”
In August 2022, Canadian operators Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Quebecor had entered right into a definitive agreement for the sale of Freedom Cell to Videotron.
The events mentioned that the transaction was topic to regulatory approvals and shutting of the proposed merger between Shaw and Rogers, which had been initially introduced on March 15, 2021.
The concerned events additionally mentioned that the sale of Freedom Cell would pave the best way for the institution of a “sturdy fourth nationwide wi-fi companies supplier”, one thing that will deal with the considerations raised by the Commissioner of Competitors and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Business relating to the Rogers-Shaw merger.
The brand new mixed enterprise of Videotron and Freedom Cell can be ready to launch a nationwide 5G providing, utilizing Videotron’s 3.5 GHz frequencies.
Earlier this week, Canada’s Federal Court docket of Enchantment rejected the competitors bureau’s request to dam the merger of Canadian carriers Rogers and Shaw, a call that eliminated one of many remaining hurdles for the completion of the $20-billion merger.
The Rogers-Shaw transaction has already been accredited by the shareholders of Shaw and the Court docket of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Fee, however stays topic to evaluation by the Competitors Tribunal and Competitors Bureau and approval by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Business.
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Business, should approve spectrum license transfers from Shaw to Videotron – in reference to the proposed acquisition of Freedom Cell by Videotron – earlier than the mixture of Rogers and Shaw can proceed.
The federal authorities’s choice whether or not or to not approve the merger will concentrate on ensuring the method will present extra competitors and affordability for Canadians, Champagne has mentioned.
